Cranial electrotherapy stimulation
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Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) is used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and drug addiction; via an electrical current. CES is an alternative to drugs, which attempt to affect the brain via chemical processes. Although in the United States, CES equipment must be prescribed by a physician, it is widely available on the Internet, for both medical and recreational purposes.
Because of an early focus upon sleeping disorders, CES was originally known as electrosleep therapy. CES is sometimes written "Cranial-Electro Stimulation".
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How CES Works
Research conducted throughout the 20th century has demonstrated that the brain makes use of electrical activity; thus, one can affect mental functions by affecting the organ's electrical activity.
During CES, an electric current is focused upon the hypothalamic region; during this process, CES electrodes are placed behind the ear at the mastoid, or clipped to the upper portion of the earlobe, near to the face. CES treatment promotes an increase in endorphins; note, scientists remain unsure why this occurs. The current results in an increase of the brain's levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, and a decrease in its level of cortisol. When CES is effective, users are in an "alert, yet relaxed" state, characterized by alpha brain waves.
History
"Electrotherapy" has been in use for at least 2000 years, as shown by the clinical literature of the early Roman physician, Scribonius Largus, who wrote in the Compositiones Medicae of 46 AD that his patients should stand on a live black torpedo fish for the relief of a variety of medical conditions, including gout and headaches. Claudius Galen (131 - 201 AD) also recommended using the shocks from the electrical fish for medical therapies.
Modern research into "low intensity" electrical stimulation (of the brain) was begun by Leduc and Rouxeau in France (1902); in 1949, the Soviet Union expanded research of CES to include the treatment of anxiety as well as sleeping disorders.
In the 1960s and 1970s, it was common for physicians and researchers to place electrodes on the eyes, thinking that any other electrode site would not be able to penetrate the cranium. It was later found that placing electrodes behind the earlobes was far more convenient, and quite effective.
Effectiveness
Most users report a decrease in anxiety during treatment, and many other report a decrease in anxiety as much as a day later. Some users report a euphoric feeling; they report that their bodies feel "lighter", their thinking is clearer, and that they are more creative.
A minority of users require five to ten treatments to achieve any effect.
Complications
There have been no major complications or negative effects associated with CES. Users who feel discomfort while using CES suffer no long-term difficulties. Temporary side effects may include a headache or skin irritation at the electrode site.